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| Rudder Fight-back http://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=75&t=70138 |
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| Author: | ralphonsob [ Wed Aug 03, 2022 2:15 am ] |
| Post subject: | Rudder Fight-back |
Wife and I went sailing on our new Tandem Island this weekend, and while sailing close reach (upwind) in moderate wind (5-7 knots) we were surprised by the effort needed to keep our course. The rudder lever needed to be held with both hands to hold the course, as the boat continually tried to turn directly into the wind. Is there a fix for this, or do we have to get used to wrestling the rudder lever? (I don't remember that the older boat we tried before purchase having the same behavior.) |
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| Author: | mmiller [ Wed Aug 03, 2022 9:39 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Rudder Fight-back |
We call that weather helm... the boat wants to round up to "weather"... into the wind. Make sure the rudder is pulled down hard and cleated to hold it there. Play with daggerboard position. Maybe less dagger board when in higher winds. Heavier weight forward also causes weather helm. |
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| Author: | quattroguy [ Thu Aug 04, 2022 4:36 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Rudder Fight-back |
Sounds like the rudder isn't fully down. Try pulling the "UP" and then the "DOWN" to get it in the proper position. The same feeling will happen in a puff, the rudder will be hard to control and will not properly respond. It is stalling, can't handle the additional force from the wind. My solution to that is to sheet out a bit and bear off. The boat will accelerate quickly and in a second or two you can go back to close hauled and sheet in. |
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| Author: | jerinaldi [ Thu Aug 04, 2022 7:02 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Rudder Fight-back |
In addition to what has been said above, I have found that sail trim can have a big effect on the rudder/weather helm. I've found that sheeting out just a bit can help if I have to fight the rudder. Use those telltales. |
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| Author: | plfinch [ Thu Aug 04, 2022 10:45 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Rudder Fight-back |
The TI rudder is a "semi-balanced" design with a small lower portion of the rudder surface located in front of the rudder pin. Flow over this forward portion counteracts some of the forces aft to reduce torque feedback on the rudder controls. As noted in a previous response, if the rudder is not fully down this balancing will be greatly reduced or eliminated. Lock the rudder full-down (on trailer or in water you can stand in) then attempt to pull back on the rudder bottom and see how much it moves back. Is it fully locked down and how much play is present? Peter |
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| Author: | powersjr2 [ Thu Aug 04, 2022 12:19 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Rudder Fight-back |
Agree, Sounds link the rudder was not fully locked down. If not locked down, significant pull can build up on the tiller - to a point where you can not steer at all. |
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| Author: | ralphonsob [ Sun Aug 07, 2022 9:02 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Rudder Fight-back |
mmiller wrote: We call that weather helm... the boat wants to round up to "weather"... into the wind. Make sure the rudder is pulled down hard and cleated to hold it there. Thanks for the advice. I can confirm that cleating the rudder in the down position solved the problem. |
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